Image forming apparatus including optical print head

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a cover pivotable on a body to close an opening at a closed position and open the opening at an open position, first and second replacement units having photosensitive drums, an optical print head pivotable in one direction, a spring, and a stopper. The spring applies, to the optical print head, a force for allowing the optical print head to pivot toward the one direction so that a movement of the optical print head with a pivotal movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position is prevented from being inhibited by the first developing cartridge. The optical print head, having the force applied the optical print head by the spring, so that movement of the optical print head with pivotal movement of the cover from the open to the closed position is prevented from being inhibited by the second developing cartridge.

Description

BACKGROUNDField[0001]The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including a cover configured to open and close an opening formed in a main body, and an optical print head provided to the cover.Description of the Related Art[0002]Image forming apparatus, such as a printer and a copying machine, include optical print heads each including a plurality of light emitting elements configured to expose a photosensitive drum to light. As the optical print heads, there are known optical print heads in which light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic electro-luminescence (EL) elements are used as examples of the light emitting elements, and in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arrayed, for example, in one row or in two staggered rows, along a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum. Further, the optical print heads each include a plurality of lenses configured to collect light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements on the photosensitiv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure describes an image forming apparatus that includes a main body with an opening, a cover that can be opened and closed, and two replacement units that can be mounted on the main body through the opening. The first replacement unit contains a photosensitive drum and a developing cartridge, while the second replacement unit contains a photosensitive drum and a developing cartridge. The apparatus also includes an optical print head that is positioned between the two developing cartridges and can be pivoted to exposure both drums. A spring is used to apply force to the optical print head so that its movement is prevented from being inhibited by the first developing cartridge when the cover is opened and closed. A stopper prevents the optical print head from moving when the cover is closed. Overall, this arrangement allows for easy replacement of the first and second replacement units without interfering with the operation of the apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

When the cover is closed in the state in which the optical print head has not returned to the predetermined position, there is a fear in that the optical print head may not be inserted between the two adjacent developing cartridges.

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